Schwerin and Neubrandenburg: role models of climate -friendly urban planning

Schwerin and Neubrandenburg: role models of climate -friendly urban planning

In a new evaluation of climate -friendly urbanization, the cities of Schwerin and Neubrandenburg achieved excellent results. This investigation was carried out by the German Environmental Aid and shows how important a green urban design is for the protection of residents against summer heat.

The criteria of the evaluation

The environmental aid analyzed the urban infrastructure of 190 German cities, each with more than 50,000 inhabitants. Satellite data was taken into account in order to measure the sealing of areas and the availability of green areas. A crucial aspect of the evaluation was the weighting of the area sealing, which had a greater impact on the final grade.

gratifying results for the north

In this analysis, Schwerin and Neubrandenburg performed remarkably well because they have a balanced mix of sealed areas and extensive green areas. These cities received “Green Cards” from the environmental aid, which underline their positive influence on the urban climate. In contrast, cities such as Rostock, Greifswald and Stralsund only showed medium results, whereby Stralsund struck negatively due to a clear lack of trees and bushes.

bad reviews in southern Germany

Environmental aid found that many cities in southern Germany, such as Ludwigshafen and Heilbronn, cut off worse. Here the results show that an excessive proportion of concrete and versus has little green spaces, which endangers the afforestation and sustainable development.

urgent call to change

The environmental aid expresses concern about the ongoing trend towards sealing areas that endangers numerous cities in its survival. In view of climate change, green areas and the ability of floors to absorb water are immensely important. The organization therefore calls on the Federal Government to introduce binding standards for the greening of schoolyards and public areas.

perspectives for the future

The Minister of Construction Klara Geywitz (SPD) has already announced a strategy that includes measures to protect against heat. This strategy includes the development of parks, the plants of street trees and the promotion of green roofs. It remains to be seen which concrete steps are taken to make urban space in Germany more climate -resistant and keep them worth living.

- Nag